I sigh, adjusting her in my arms. Even though we’re on level ground now, I can’t bring myself to put her down. I need to feel her, alive and whole, in my arms.
“Cora, look at me,” I breathe.
She raises her eyes to mine, and the vulnerability I see there makes my heart ache.
“I’m not trying to control you,” I explain. “I’m trying tokeep you safe because I...” I swallow hard, the words sticking in my throat. “Because I care about you. If anything happened to you...”
I can’t finish the sentence. The thought of losing her is too painful to contemplate.
She shifts in my arms, wincing slightly.
“What is it?” I ask, alarm spiking through me. “Are you hurt? I’ll take you to a hospital.”
“No.” She shakes her head. “Just sore. I’m going to have some impressive bruises, but that’s all.”
Relief washes over me. Bruises I can handle. “Let’s get you back to the cabin.”
As I carry her through the forest, I’m aware of every breath she takes, every slight movement. The adrenaline is wearing off, leaving me drained and shaky.
“I can walk, you know,” Cora says after a while, a hint of her usual sass returning to her voice. “I’m bruised, not broken.”
I tighten my grip on her. “Humor me, Little Trouble. I’m not putting you down until we’re back at the cabin.”
She doesn’t argue further, instead nestling closer to my chest. Her heartbeat against mine, a steady reminder she’s here, she’s safe.
By the time we reach the cabin, the sun is setting, casting long shadows across the clearing. I kick open the door.
I set Cora down on the couch, my hands going to check her for injuries. She winces as I probe her ribs, but it seems more from sensitivity than actual pain.
“I don’t think anything’s broken,” I say. “You’ll have some bruises, but it looks like you got lucky, Little Trouble.”
She smirks, a hint of her usual sass returning. “Luck had nothing to do with it. I’m just naturally bouncy.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Bouncy? Is that what we’re calling it now?”
“Well, I couldn’t very well be ‘Little Trouble’ if I shattered like fine china every time I fell off a cliff, could I?”
I shake my head, caught between exasperation and amusement. “Most people don’t make a habit of falling off cliffs.”
“Most people aren’t me,” she retorts, then sobers. “Ryder, I really am sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you like that.”
I sigh, sitting beside her on the couch. “I know. Just... don’t do it again, okay? My heart can’t take it.”
She leans into me, resting her head on my shoulder. “Aww, you do care.”
“Of course I care, you impossible woman,” I grumble, but there’s no heat in it. “Someone has to keep you from tumbling off every vertical surface in Montana.”
Cora giggles, then winces. “Ow. Don’t make me laugh. My ribs are protesting.”
“Serves you right,” I say, but I stroke her back. “How about a hot bath? It’ll help with the soreness.”
She perks up at that. “Ooh, yes, please. Will you be joining me?”
I roll my eyes. “You can manage bathing yourself.”
“Spoilsport,” she pouts. “And here I thought my daring cliff dive might have earned me some special attention.”
“Oh, you’ll be getting special attention alright,” I say, my voice dropping lower. “Just not the kind you’re hoping for.”
